Bracket for installation of fire sprinklers

ABSTRACT

A bracket has a length of bar stock, with end brackets that fit over a rail or bar that forms part of a suspended ceiling or the like. The end brackets may be secured permanently to the bar stock, or their location along the bar stock may be adjustable. A central bracket is mounted on, and can preferably slide along the length of, the bar stock. The central bracket defines a bay in front of the bar stock in which a sprinkler fitting is received, and a hinged lever at the front of the central bracket can be swung shut and locked, to secure the sprinkler in place. Preferably closing the lever also presses the fitting against the bar stock, and secures the central bracket in its location along the bar stock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of fire prevention sprinklers and related equipment, and relates more particularly to a bracket that can be used in installing a sprinkler of the kind known as a flexible sprinkler, and to a method of installing such a support bracket.

Description of Related Art

Fire prevention sprinklers are used to protect occupancies of many different kinds against the risk of fire, including commercial establishments, storage facilities, office buildings, public buildings, large and small apartment buildings, and even single residence buildings. Many such buildings have what are sometimes termed a “false ceiling”, or a second, visible ceiling below the main ceiling. The second ceiling may itself be fairly strong structurally, or it may be built relatively lightly, e.g., to allow easy updating of the ceiling appearance using esthetically pleasing tiles or the like, which can be quickly and cheaply replaced if damaged or simply out-moded. Sprinklers must be located to disperse water below the second ceiling, and so cannot simply be mounted in the main ceiling but must be positioned at or near the second ceiling, and be able to deliver water directly into the room if activated.

This presents several problems, in that the pipes to supply water to the sprinklers may be installed in the main ceiling but have conduits to reach the sprinklers. Also, it may happen that if the tiles or other pieces that will make up the visible ceiling are cut in advance to accommodate the sprinklers, it is obviously necessary to find a way to locate the sprinklers exactly at the holes. Alternatively of course the job of preparing the ceiling material can await the installation of the sprinklers to be sure that the holes are provided at exactly the right locations. Either approach obviously takes time and effort, and hence costs money.

Additionally, if an occupancy changes tenants, the required layout of walls and ceiling, or the desired appearance of the ceiling, may change, and a re-location of sprinklers may in some cases be needed to maintain proper location of the sprinklers with respect to walls, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a support bracket for use in the installation of fire sprinklers, e.g., in a building with a suspended ceiling (a false ceiling typically having relatively little strength of its own, and suspended from the building structure, such as being hung by cable). A sprinkler fitting is secured in place by the bracket, and the bracket itself is adjustable to permit the sprinkler to be located where it is wanted. This enables the builder to use inexpensive flexible tubing as the water supply conduit to the sprinkler, which can be installed quickly, requiring less skilled labor time and costs. In some embodiments, the support bracket has a length of square-cross-section bar stock or similar material as a support beam, and each end has an end bracket that extends downward and fits over a rail/bar that forms part of a suspended ceiling. In some embodiments, the spacing between the end brackets can be varied as needed for the particular installation. The end brackets may be secured permanently to the bar stock, or alternatively, their location along the bar stock is adjustable. A center bracket is on the bar stock, and can preferably slide along the length of the bar stock. The center bracket defines a bay or opening in front of the bar stock in which the vertically-pointing sprinkler fitting is received, and a hinged closure member at the front of the center bracket that can be swung shut and locked, to secure the sprinkler fixedly in place. Closing the closure member also applies pressure between the center bracket and the bar stock, and secures the center bracket in its location along the bar stock. The invention also encompasses a method of installing the support bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of the support bracket in accordance with the invention, and includes a detail of one portion thereof (“Detail ‘A’”).

FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are a front view and a side view of an end bracket of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are views of a variation of the end bracket.

FIGS. 7-9 are a top view of the body portion of the center bracket of the embodiment of FIG. 1, an end view of the formed body, and a plan view of a sheet of material to be formed into the body,.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the closure member or handle of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the lever, or hook, of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and a spring used to bias the lever.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the lock member of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 16-22 illustrate components of a flexible hose according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an example of a sprinkler fitting with which certain embodiments may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention being used to install a system of fire sprinklers. In this illustrated example, water is to be supplied to the sprinkler by means of a flexible conduit. The sprinkler (itself not shown) will be mounted at the lower end of a sprinkler fitting 200, for example an adapter, secured to the fluid conduit, and the sprinkler fitting 200 is supported and held at the desired location by the support bracket 300 of the invention. The support bracket 300 has a center bracket 310 that secures and supports the sprinkler fitting 200. A support beam or support bar 320 extends over the room (and over the false ceiling) and supports the center bracket 310. At least one end of the support bar 320 has an end bracket 330 by means of which the support bar 320 is secured to the ceiling or the building structure. In this embodiment the ceiling is a suspended ceiling, constructed as a grid of T-bars 340, hat channels or rails suspended for example by cables (not shown) from the building structure with the grid supporting ceiling tiles of the desired kind, and the support bar 320 is provided with two end brackets 330, one at each end of the support bar 320. Each end bracket 330 is structured to locate the on the grid of T-bars, hat channels or rails by engaging with one T-bar 340 (for the remainder of this description reference will be made only to T-bars, but it should be understood that other types of elements, including hat channels and rails, are possible as well). As described below, the end brackets 330 may be located along the length of the support bar 320 at the locations needed, with the support bar 320 cut to the appropriate length. The attachment of the end brackets 330 to the support bar 320 may be done in a permanent way, or alternatively, their location along the length of the support bar 320 may be adjustable if desired, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In this embodiment the support bar 320 is made of a length of square-cross-section bar stock. In the example shown the support bar 320 crosses the space between two parallel T-bars 340, and is supported by the two T-bars 340 by the end brackets 330. The end brackets 330 in this embodiment are stamped metal plate but may be made of other materials if desired, and may be made either of a single piece of material each, or of multiple pieces, bonded together, if that is preferred.

In this embodiment each end bracket 330 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises an upper body 3301, a lower body 3302, also termed a “grip” herein, and a connecting portion 3310 or connecting body joining the upper body 3301 and the grip 3302. In this example, where the end bracket 330 is manufactured of a single piece of metal plate, the upper body 3301 has first and second sides 3304 and 3305, which face each other and each of which has a square opening 3306 to receive the support beam 320. The first and second sides 3304, 3305 are joined to each other by at least a third side 3307, which in this embodiment is actually a top surface, and a bottom 3308 is also provided. Alternatively, however, the top or bottom or both may be left open, and front and back surfaces provided to connect the sides 3304, 3305 that have the square openings 3306. The end bracket 330 engages and is secured to the support bar 320 by having the support bar 320 received in the square openings 3306, and a screw 3309, wing screw or other fastener secures the top and bottom of the upper body 3301 to the support bar 320 as shown. The location of the fastener 3309 may be varied, and if (for example) the upper body 3301 has four sides without a top or bottom, the fastener may be secured in holes provided for it in the front and back sides 3304, 3305 of the upper body 3301.

The connecting portion 3310 may be, as here, a simple strip of metal or length of plate, preferably integral with the material from which the upper body 3301 and the grip 3302 are formed.

The lower body 3302, or grip, of the end bracket 330 has at least one portion 3311, herein termed a “leg”, extending down from the connecting body to extend beside the T-bar 340. In this embodiment three such structures 3311-3313 are provided, with two located generally between the T-bar 340 and the center bracket 310 (legs 3311 and 3313), and the third (3312) outboard of the T-bar 340 (that is, with the T-bar 340 between the latter leg 3312 and the center bracket 310). In this embodiment the two legs 3311, 3313 that will be inboard of the T-bar 340 have their lowermost portion 3314 bent toward the T-bar 340 at an angle. At least one of the legs has an aperture to receive a nail, screw or other device for securing the grip 3302 to the T-bar 340. In this embodiment, the outboard leg 3312 is between the two inboard ones (3311, 3313) in the view shown in FIG. 3A, and the outboard leg 3312 and smaller inboard leg 3311 together have a combined width (referring to the dimension parallel to the T-bar 340) equal to about one-half the width of the largest leg 3313. Other proportions, however, are also within the broad scope of the invention.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper body 3301′ does not have a bottom side, and the first and second sides 3304′, 3305′, in which the openings 3306 for the support bar 320 are provided, extend downward to the grip 3302′, and these extensions 3315, 3316 together serve as the connecting body. As shown, extension 3316 on one side is parallel to the other extension 3315, but is bent toward the latter at about the top of the grip portion 3302′, and ends in a portion 3317 that lies flat on extension 3315. The two extensions 3315, 3316 are secured together at this point.

In this embodiment, the lower body 3302′, or grip, of the end bracket 330′ has preferably at least three legs 3318-3320 extending down from the connecting body to extend beside the T-bar 340. In this embodiment two legs 3318 and 3320 are provided to one side of the T-bar 340 310, and the other leg 3319 is to the other side of the T-bar 340. In contrast with the first embodiment, the width of the latter leg 3319 (referring again to its dimension parallel to the T-bar 340) is roughly equal to, or slightly greater than, the combined widths of the other two legs 3317, 3320, and is located between the latter two in the view of FIG. 6. In this embodiment the widest leg 3319 has its lowermost portion 3314 bent toward the T-bar 340 at an angle, as in the first embodiment. At least one, and here all three, of the legs have an aperture to receive a nail, screw or other device for securing the grip to the T-bar 340 (and this is true of the first embodiment as well). In both embodiments, the legs may have the same height (referring to their dimension parallel to the connecting portion and perpendicular to both the support beam and the T-bar 340), or two may have one height and the third a different height, or all three may have different heights. It is preferred that the leg(s) having the inward-bent portion at the bottom are taller (that is, extend lower) than the other(s), as shown. In both embodiments, the widest leg may have a width equal to the combined widths of the remaining portion of the grip (the other legs and any spaces between legs); again, the widest leg may have a width equal to about 1.4-2.0 times the combined widths of the remaining portion of the grip.

The exact design of the grip may be varied without departing from the broad scope of the invention, but it is preferred to have one of the structures shown, as they are simple, provide a secure attachment to the T-bar 340 and can be manufactured easily. In both embodiments, the end brackets may be provided with holes (e.g., in the connecting portions) by means of which the end brackets may be nailed or screwed to beams or similar support elements, where such beams are used, and are made of a material that admits of the use of nails, etc.

The center bracket 310 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The center bracket 310 in this example has a body 3101 and a closure 3102. The body 3101 defines an opening 3103 to receive the sprinkler fitting 200 or sprinkler, and the closure 3102 includes a closure member 3104, or handle, that has a first end rotatably connected to the body 3101. The handle 3104 can be rotated between a first position (shown in FIG. 2) and a second position. When the handle 3104 is in the second position (with the portion of the sprinkler fitting 200 received in the opening 3103), the handle 3104 presses the sprinkler fitting 200 against the body 3101 and the support beam 320.

In this example, the center bracket 310 is constructed to be able to slide along the support beam 320, and to assist the installer in locating the center bracket 310 correctly, the support beam 320 preferably has markers, such as indentations or laser markings, at predetermined lengths from the end brackets 330, 330′ (for example, every 6 inches or 152.4 mm). When the handle 3104 is in the second position, it urges the center bracket 310 against the support beam 320, producing friction that tends to maintain the center bracket 310 stationary relative to the support beam 320.

The center bracket 310 has a lock, to lock the handle 3104 in a closed position as described below.

In this example embodiment the body 3101 of the center bracket 310 is again made of a sheet of material, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The sheet, after being shaped as shown in that figure, is bent at each of the lines labeled “B”, forming the sheet into a box-like form, shown in a top view in FIG. 7, and in an end view in FIG. 8. The shape of the body 3101 defines the opening 3103 in which the sprinkler fitting 200 is received and secured.

The other components of the closure may be seen in FIGS. 10-15, and their structure, arrangement and operation are now described.

The closure member 3104, in this embodiment shaped as a handle, is mounted to the body 3101 by a first pin 3106, about which the handle 3104 can rotate relative to the body 3101. As can be seen, the handle 3104 does not extend straight from the pin 3106, but is spaced from the pin 3106 by the shape of the base 3105 of the handle 3104. The portion 3105 of the closure member 3104 nearest the pin 3106 is shaped to co-operate with other components in a manner described below.

The closure 3102 also includes a lever 3107, or hook, which is mounted to the body 3101 by a second pin 3108, about which the lever 3107 can rotate relative to the body 3101. The axes of rotation of the handle 3104 and the hook 3107 are parallel.

One end of a spring 3109 which serves as a lock and as a lock release, extends from the body 3101 of the center bracket 310, near the first pin 3106. This spring 3109 as shown is a piece of metal bent somewhat like a hairpin, and the bend is received in a slot provided in the lower face of the center bracket body 3101. The two free ends of the spring 3109 extend out through a slot 3114 in the upper face of the body 3101. One of these free ends is further bent to hold the spring 3109 in place, while the other is formed into a ring 3133 to permit the spring 3109 to be grasped and operated, as described below.

A third pin 3116 is visible in FIG. 2, and anchors a second spring 3128 (which in this embodiment is a coil spring, see FIG. 13), which biases the hook 3107 to rotate toward the handle 3104 (that is, counterclockwise in these views). The handle 3104 and the lever or hook 3107 are positioned near each other such that rotation of the handle 3104 toward the second, closed position causes the base 3105 of the handle 3104 to contact the hook body, pressing the hook 3107 toward the interior of the bay or opening 3103 where the sprinkler fitting 200 is received. A ring or roller 3110 is mounted on an axis 3111 in the base 3105 of the handle (see FIGS. 2 and 10), and enables the handle 3104 to apply a uniform force on the hook 3107 as the handle 3104 is moved, pressing the hook 3107 smoothly into the closed position. As the handle 3104 is closed, the hook 3107 engages the fitting 200 and presses it against the back of the opening 3103, applying a force against the support beam 320 so as to prevent later movement of the center bracket 310 along the support beam 320 (in a case where the center bracket 310 is otherwise free to move along the beam 320).

It will be understood from what has been said that the center bracket 310 can slide along the support beam 320, and that closing the closure 3102 on the sprinkler fitting 200 in the center bracket 310 will press the latter against the support beam 320 in such a manner as to prevent such sliding. In use, the builder may attach the bracket 300 to the T-bars at the correct location, and secure it in place using screws or other fasteners placed in the grips of the end brackets. The fitting 200 may be placed in the center bracket 310 and the center bracket 310 is slid to position it correctly, so that the sprinkler fitting 200 is where it should be. The exact vertical location of the fitting 200 in the center bracket 310 may of course also be fine-tuned. When the sprinkler is positioned as desired, the closure 3102 is operated, moving the closure member 3104 from the first (open) position to the second position, pressing the fitting 200 against the center bracket 310 and maintaining the center bracket 310 at that position relative to the support beam 320.

A further feature of this embodiment is that rotating the closure member 3104 fully in the closed direction brings the body of that member into contact with the first spring 3109, the lock. In this embodiment, the closure member body 3105 is shaped with a notch 3112 (see FIG. 10) to engage and receive the spring 3109 at this time, and the spring 3109, urged into the notch 3112 by its resilience, is retained there, and prevents further rotation of the closure member 3104 in either direction. Thus, the locked closure member or handle 3104 in turn holds the hook 3107 in position, pressing the fitting 200 and holding it in place, and maintaining the center bracket 310 stationary with respect to the support beam 320. It will be appreciated that this provides an extremely simple and quick way to install the support bracket 300, involving a minimum of specialized tools and requiring no plumbing to be done to install the sprinkler and adapter fitting 200 themselves (plumbing of course is required to install the fluid conduit to supply water to the sprinklers).

Unlocking the closure 3102 may be done by pressing the ring 3113 of the lock spring 3109 to move the spring 3109 out of the notch, allowing the handle 3104 to move back toward the first, open position. This can be done if the sprinkler fitting is positioned incorrectly at first, or if the sprinkler installation is updated or replaced. Alternative structures may be provided to serve as a lock, including by way of example a rotatable column having a tooth or key thereon to engage and hold a corresponding opening in the handle structure, with a tab outside the center bracket 310 to permit manual rotation of the column from the open position to the closed position (and vice versa if needed).

It is contemplated that the support bracket 300 may be provided together with the flexible hose 100, although that is not essential. An example of a suitable flexible hose 100 is shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 16-22 illustrate the components of that flexible hose 100 in greater detail. The flexible hose 100 may comprise a corrugated core 101 (a bellows tubing; see FIG. 9), surrounded by a metallic braid 102 (FIG. 1). The inlet end of the core hose has an inlet fitting to be secured to a nipple 106 mounted on the water supply conduit. The other end of the hose has an outlet fitting to be connected to the sprinkler fitting 200. Such fitting is formed of an end pipe 103 secured to the bellows 101 with an insulation ring 104, a ring 107, an O-ring 102 and a nut 105 as shown. The nuts are internally threaded, so that the inlet end of the hose 100 can be threaded onto the nipple, and the sprinkler fitting 200 is threaded into the outlet end of the hose 100.

As an example of the sprinkler adapter is shown a reducer 200 (FIGS. 23 and 24), having its inlet 2001 end externally threaded to be received in the nut at the outlet end of the hose 100, and with its internal diameter reduced at the outlet end, which is internally threaded to receive a sprinkler. The adapter 200 may be straight, as shown, or may optionally be formed with an elbow. Preferably, the exterior of the reducer is provided with flats 2002 spaced about its circumference, and with grooving 2003 on the flats 2002 or unflattened surfaces 2004 or both, to facilitate gripping with the installation tool.

Preferably, a disposable tie (not illustrated) is provided, for example at the upper (inlet) end, to be used in easily and conveniently securing the outlet end for tests to be performed at installation. The tie is preferably of a material that can easily be cut, to permit the installer to release the lower end of the hose 100 quickly and easily upon completion of the testing.

In preferred embodiments the hose 100 may be 24 inches (609.6 mm) in length, or 31 inches (787.1 mm), 40 inches (1016 mm), 48 inches (1219.2 mm), 60 inches (1524 mm) or 72 inches (1828.8 mm); where regulations permit, however, it may be of other lengths. Also, the reducer may have inner diameters at inlet and outlet, respectively, of 1 inch (25.4 mm) and 0.5 inch (12.7 mm); or of 1 inch (25.46 mm) and 0.75 inch (19.05 mm).

While the present invention has been described with respect to what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support bracket for use in installing a fire prevention sprinkler fitting in a building having a ceiling structured with T-bars, hat channels or rails, comprising: a support beam to extend over a space between two spaced T-bars, hat channels or rails of the ceiling; at least one end bracket at a first end of said support beam, to attach the support bracket to one of the spaced T-bars, hat channels or rails; a center bracket supported by said support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, said central bracket having a body and a closure, said body defining an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and said closure including a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected to said body, and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said closure, when said closure member is in said second position and with the portion of the sprinkler fitting received in said opening, presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against one of said body and said support beam in such manner as to urge said center bracket against said support beam to maintain said center bracket stationary relative to said support beam; and said center bracket having a lock positioned to engage said closure responsive to sufficient movement of said closure member in a direction from the first position toward the second position, said lock then engaging said closure to prevent said closure member from returning to said first position.
 2. A support bracket according to claim 1, wherein said closure further comprises a lever mounted rotatably to said body of said center bracket, positioned relative to said closure member such that said closure member moving from said first position to said second position contacts said lever and rotates said lever to cause said lever to press the portion of the sprinkler fitting against one of said body and said support beam.
 3. A support bracket according to claim 2, wherein said closure further comprises a spring urging said lever against such rotation.
 4. A support bracket according to claim 3, wherein said closure member has a first portion that, when said closure engages said lock, engages said lock to prevent substantial relative movement of said closure relative to said lock.
 5. A support bracket according to claim 4, wherein said first portion of said closure member has a shape to mate with a shape of said lock.
 6. A support bracket according to claim 4, wherein said first portion of said closure member has a concavity to receive said lock upon engaging with said lock.
 7. A support bracket according to claim 4, wherein said lock comprises a post, disposed extending along a first direction substantially parallel to an axis about which said closure member is rotatable relative to said body, and said closure member surface has a shape to receive said post.
 8. A support bracket according to claim 7, wherein said lock comprises a spring urging said post in a direction generally toward said axis about which said closure member is rotatable relative to said body, and said closure member surface receives said post.
 9. A support bracket according to claim 7, wherein said post is mounted on said body to be adjustable along a first direction relative to said body, movement along said first direction in a first sense securing said post in said closure member surface and movement of said post along said first direction in a sense opposite to said first sense releasing said closure member from engagement with said post.
 10. A support bracket according to claim 1, wherein said end bracket comprises an upper body, a lower grip and a connecting body joining said upper body and said grip.
 11. A support bracket according to claim 10, wherein said upper body comprises at least first and second sides each having an opening therein receiving said support beam, and is secured to said support beam.
 12. A support bracket according to claim 11, wherein said upper body further comprises at least a third side joining said first and second sides.
 13. A support bracket according to claim 11, wherein said upper body further comprises a top joining said first and second sides.
 14. A support bracket according to claim 10, wherein said grip comprises at least a first leg extending down from said connecting body to extend beside the T-bar, hat channel or rail generally between the T-bar, hat channel or rail and said center bracket, or a second leg extending down from said connecting body to extend beside the T-bar, hat channel or rail with the T-bar, hat channel or rail generally between said second leg and said center bracket.
 15. A support bracket according to claim 14, wherein at least said first leg or said second leg is formed with an aperture to receive a nail, screw or other device for securing said grip to the T-bar, hat channel or rail.
 16. A support bracket for use in installing a fire prevention sprinkler fitting in a building having a ceiling structured with T-bars, hat channels or rails, comprising: a support beam to extend over a space between two spaced T-bars, hat channels or rails of the ceiling; at least one end bracket at a first end of said support beam, to attach the support bracket to one of the spaced T-bars, hat channels or rails; a center bracket supported by said support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, said central bracket having a body and a closure, said body defining an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and said closure including a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected to said body, and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said closure, when said closure member is in said second position and with the portion of the sprinkler fitting received in said opening, presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against one of said body and said support beam in such manner as to urge said center bracket against said support beam to maintain said center bracket stationary relative to said support beam; and said center bracket having a lock positioned to engage said closure responsive to sufficient movement of said closure member in a direction from the first position toward the second position, said lock then engaging said closure to prevent said closure member from returning to said first position.
 17. In combination, for use in installing a fire prevention sprinkler fitting in a building having a ceiling structured with T-bars, hat channels or rails: a support bracket; and a flexible hose, said support bracket comprising: a support beam to extend over a space between two spaced T-bars, hat channels or rails of the ceiling; at least one end bracket at a first end of said support beam, to attach the support bracket to one of the spaced T-bars, hat channels or rails; a center bracket supported by said support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, said central bracket having a body and a closure, said body defining an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and said closure including a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected to said body, and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said closure, when said closure member is in said second position and with the portion of the sprinkler fitting received in said opening, presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against one of said body and said support beam in such manner as to urge said center bracket against said support beam to maintain said center bracket stationary relative to said support beam; and said center bracket having a lock positioned to engage said closure responsive to sufficient movement of said closure member in a direction from the first position toward the second position, said lock then engaging said closure to prevent said closure member from returning to said first position.
 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein said flexible hose comprises a bellows tubing surrounded at least partially by braiding.
 19. The combination of claim 17, further comprising a sprinkler reducer, for connection to said flexible hose and to the fire prevention sprinkler.
 20. The combination of claim 17, wherein said flexible hose has a tie at an inlet end.
 21. A method of installing a fire prevention sprinkler fitting in a building having a ceiling structured with T-bars, hat channels or rails, comprising the steps of: securing the support bracket in position over a space between two adjacent T-bars, hat channels or rails, wherein the support bracket has a support beam, and at least one end has an end bracket that fits over one of the T-bars, hat channels or rails, and a center bracket on the support beam, wherein the center bracket defines an opening to receive the sprinkler fitting, and a hinged closure member at the front of the center bracket that can be moved from an open position to a closed position pressing against the sprinkler fitting; locating a flexible hose having the sprinkler fitting at a lower end in a center bracket of the support bracket; and securing the sprinkler fitting in position in the center bracket by moving the closure from an open position to a closed position pressing against the sprinkler fitting, the moving of the closure also locking the closure in the closed position.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising moving the center bracket along the support beam to a desired location, either prior to or after said locating step.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of securing the support bracket comprises securing at least one end bracket to a support element that is part of a building in which the ceiling is located. 